The Complete Guide to Adult Knots in Scouting
- troop0176scoutmast
- Jan 9
- 9 min read
Adult recognition in Scouting isn’t just about honoring achievements—it’s about acknowledging the dedication and service of volunteers who inspire youth and strengthen the Scouting program. Knots are a simple yet meaningful way to display these accomplishments on the official uniform. In this guide, we’ll explore all the adult knots in Scouting, including their requirements, descriptions, and how they represent various achievements.
Adult Leader Position-Specific Recognition Knots
Scouter's Training Award
Recognizes adult leaders who have completed training and provided service in their Scouting role over a period of two years or more.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn this Award?
Presented to Scouts BSA youth members, Venturing youth, and adults upon completion of training; also may be worn by den chiefs who have completed den chief training.
How to Get the Award:
Either given by the council upon completion of training or available for purchase at the Scout Shop.
Key Requirements:
Complete training for the registered position.
Participate in supplemental training.
Scouter's Key Award
Honors unit leaders and certain district/council positions for completing three years of service and leadership training.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Venturing Crew Advisors, district and assistant district commissioners, and district committee members.
How To Get the Award:
The council usually presents completed forms turned in to the council office at no charge.
Key Requirements:
Serve in a leadership position for at least three years.
Complete all advanced training requirements.
Service to Youth and Community Knots
District Award of Merit
Recognizes Scouters who provide noteworthy service to youth at the district level.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Presented to registered adult volunteers by districts in the same manner that the Silver Beaver is, as a national award presented by councils; it is not appropriate to nominate a Scouter who has already received this award.
How To Get the Award:
Presented by the council at appropriate gatherings such as district annual dinners.
Key Requirements:
Available to registered Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level.
Serve youth through Scouting and community involvement.
Be nominated by peers in the district.
Silver Beaver Award
A council-level award recognizing distinguished service to youth in the community.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Presented by the National Court of Honor on behalf of councils.
How To Get the Award:
Anyone may nominate any deserving registered Scouter to the council, which selects recipients for the following year. Each council may process their own annual allotment of Silver Beaver awards and shall send a list of Silver Beaver awards and shall send a list of Silver Beaver recipients presented each calendar year to the National Court of Honor no later than January 31 of the following year.
Key Requirements:
To recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.
Demonstrate exceptional service to youth and the community.
Be nominated by a council committee.
Silver Antelope Award
Honors distinguished service to youth within one of the BSA's four regions.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Presented by the National Court of Honor on behalf of the territories.
How To Get the Award:
Completed nomination form is submitted to local council for Scout executive approval then submitted electronically to the National Court of Honor via Awards@scouting.org; awards are presented each year at a noteworthy national service territory meeting or national event or meeting, but only after approval of the award by the National Court of Honor.
Key Requirements:
To recognize registered Scouters of exceptional character in their territory for their distinguished service to youth.
Be nominated and approved at the national level.
Silver Buffalo Award
The highest award for adults in Scouting, recognizing distinguished service to youth on a national or international level.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Presented by the National Court of Honor.
How To Get the Award:
Send nominations to local council or directly to the National Court of Honor using electronic nomination form.
Key Requirements:
To recognize registered Scouters and others of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service at the national level.
Adult Leader Position-Specific Recognition Knots
Venturing Leadership, Sea Scout Leadership, Exploring Leadership Awards
Recognizes adults who have made exceptional contributions to the Venturing, Sea Scout, or Exploring programs.
Additional Information
In order to recognize Venturers and Venturing Advisors who have made exceptional contributions to Venturing and who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law, councils, territories, and the BSA National Council may present individuals with the Venturing Leadership Award.
The council, territory, and national awards are selected by a task force of youth and adults from the respective tier and are processed by a committee that is formed by the respective level. Awards can be purchased through Scouting Supply and certificates can be made with the template below for presentation to the awardees.
Who Can Earn This Award?
Hold a leadership position or an office at the unit, district, council, territory, or national level (as appropriate for the level of the award presented).
How To Get the Award:
Be nominated by a peer in the program.
Key Requirements:
Be registered and involved as a Venturer or Venturing advisor, Sea Scout or Sea Scout Skipper for at least one year.
Show exceptional dedication and give outstanding leadership and service to Venturing and to Venturers (on the level appropriate for the award).
Lifesaving and Meritorious Awards
Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award Knot
Awarded to those who perform acts of heroism or exceptional service in critical situations.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Presented to National Court of Honor–approved youth and adults; not qualifying are individuals who do lifesaving as part of their job, such as an EMT, lifeguard, or doctor.
How To Get the Award:
Nomination is made to the local council, which nominates someone to the National Court of Honor; the National Court of Honor makes final determination of level awarded and sends award and certificate back to the local council for appropriate presentation.
Key Requirements:
Show courage or meritorious action during emergencies.
Be recommended and approved by a national committee.
Religious and Community Recognition Awards
Religious Emblems Knot
-- 1 of 3 knots that can be worn as an adult for earning it as a youth --
Recognizes adults who earn religious awards or promote religious emblems for youth.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Youth members earn awards; recognitions are available for adult members for some denominations.
How To Get the Award:
Download information from https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-879_WB.pdf
Key Requirements:
Earn a recognized religious award or mentor youth in earning theirs.
Community Organization Award Knot
Honors adult leaders active in community organizations that support Scouting.
Additional Information
In recent years, representatives of several national chartered organizations have inquired about the development of a recognition that could be given to registered adult leaders in units chartered to community organizations, similar to the adult religious awards presented by various denominations and faith groups. After study and evaluation, the Scouting America National Court of Honor approved the concept of a Community Organization Award square knot. This square knot would be available to be worn by uniformed Scouters who have been recognized for their service to Scouting youth in the community.
The Award:
The concept of the Community Organization Award is similar to the adult religious recognition program in that the award itself and the criteria for granting the award is under the ownership and auspices of the particular national chartered organization which presents the award. The intent of the National Uniform and Insignia Committee is to provide a square knot for Scouters who have received a BSA accepted and authorized award from a national community organization.
Scouting America’s Community Organization Award square knot consists of an embroidered gold square knot on a purple background with a gold border and is the means by which Scouting America recognizes Scouters who have received an approved community organization service recognition. As with all other square knots, it is worn on the Scouter uniform shirt above the left pocket.
Development of the Award:
Community Organization Award is a generic term used by Scouting America to identify a category of awards used by secular, national, community organizations to recognize their members for voluntary service and achievement. The organization must also be a BSA national chartered organization. The recognition piece, the concept of the award, and the criteria for awarding and presenting it are developed and owned by the national community organization which is also a chartered organization with Scouting America.
To ensure compatibility with the objectives and mission of Scouting America, the concept, requirements, and criteria for presenting the award must be approved by the Scouting America National Relationships Committee.
The Awarding Process:
A Community Organization Award (COA) square knot is available for registered volunteers to wear on their Scout uniform. This square knot denotes that a Scout volunteer has been recognized by one of these approved national chartered organization partners for Scout service within that organization.
Key Requirements:
Actively promote Scouting within the community organization.
Fulfill specific organizational requirements for recognition.
Specialized Contributions Awards
International Scouter's Award
Recognizes contributions to Scouting on an international level.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by adult volunteers.
How To Get the Award:
Return the completed application to the council office.
Key Requirements:
To recognize adult volunteers who promote international Scouting on all levels who in turn help broaden the perspectives of Scouting.
Participate in international Scouting activities.
Promote cultural understanding and international partnerships.
William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award
Acknowledges adults who help organize new Scouting units.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by adult volunteers.
How To Get the Award:
Presented to volunteers who organize a new, traditional unit
Key Requirements:
Successfully charter a new unit.
Ensure the unit is active and sustainable.
Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award Knot
For commissioners who complete the Doctorate of Commissioner Science program.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
All Commissioners.
How To Get the Award:
The Doctorate of Commissioner Science Knot Award recognizes completion of a standardized training program including a thesis or project, the awarding of the Doctorate of Commissioner Science from a College of Commissioner Science, and the achievement of performance objectives to improve unit service.
Key Requirements:
Achieve the Doctorate of Commissioner Science degree.
Demonstrate advanced leadership in unit service.
Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service
Recognizes commissioners who provide outstanding unit service.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
All Commissioners.
How To Get the Award:
The Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service is awarded to a commissioner who provides exemplary unit service, focusing on unit performance as measured in Journey to Excellence and through the use of the current Scouting America Unit Service Plan and Commissioner Tools.
Key Requirements:
Complete commissioner training.
Successfully mentor units and improve their performance.
Distinguished Commissioner Service Award
Acknowledges exceptional service by commissioners in building a strong district or council.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
All Commissioners.
How To Get the Award:
The Distinguished Commissioner Service Award is the highest recognition that can be given to a commissioner who has consistently engaged in distinguished and exceptional commissioner service resulting in significant, positive impact to youth, units, and a district and/or council.
Key Requirements:
Serve as a commissioner for at least five years.
Demonstrate exemplary unit service.
Commissioner's Key
The Commissioner’s Key encourages and recognizes continuing training, performance, and tenure by commissioners.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
All Commissioners.
How To Get the Award:
The Commissioner’s Key encourages and recognizes continuing training, performance, and tenure by commissioners.
Key Requirements:
Serve as a commissioner for at least three years within a five-year period.
Demonstrate exemplary unit service.
Alumni Award
A recognition program to encourage participation and work in council alumni relations programs, including NESA activities; areas of work include alumni identification/promotion, alumni engagement, personal participation, and education.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Presented to Scouting alumni who promote continued engagement with Scouting America.
How To Get the Award:
Registered adult Scouters may submit a completed application for approval by the local council alumni committee. Approved applications are forwarded to the National Alumni Relations Committee. Those approved will be sent a certificate that can be used to purchase a square knot and/or lapel pin from the Scout shop.
Individuals who have received the Alumnus of the Year award are also considered recipients of the Alumni Award.
Key Requirements:
A recognition program to encourage participation and work in council alumni relations programs, including NESA activities; areas of work include alumni identification/promotion, alumni engagement, personal participation, and education.
Veteran Award
To recognize BSA individual members for tenure in Scouting
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned by all registered members.
How To Get the Award:
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our Scouting movement and should be recognized for the time and effort they dedicate to our movement, both as a youth and as an adult volunteer.
For years, local councils have processed Veteran Scouter Award for individuals celebrating their 5, 10, 15- & 20-year milestones of registration. However, awards at the 25-year or higher level were only processed at the National Service Center.
Key Requirements:
Participate in Scouting and receive a pin for every 5 year incremental service.
Youth Awards Worn as Adults
Eagle Scout
-- 1 of 3 knots that can be worn as an adult for earning it as a youth --
Recognizes attaining the highest level of Scouting as a youth.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned as a youth.
How To Get the Award:
Attain the rank of Eagle Scout
Key Requirements:
Arrow of Light
-- 1 of 3 knots that can be worn as an adult for earning it as a youth --
Recognizes attaining the highest level of Cub Scouting as a youth.
Additional Information
Who Can Earn This Award?
Earned as a youth.
How To Get the Award:
Attain the rank Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts
Key Requirements:
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